Back to it!

Looks like I'm finally getting back into the running routine.  I've not really run since the San Antonio Rock & Roll half back in November.  It was my first half and an amazing experience; however, shortly before that my running partner (A.M.) hurt her ankle and had to take some time off.  It is so hard to get myself motivated to get up in the wee hours of the morning and go run when there's not someone meeting me (not to mention, a bit scary!).  I have some sweet friends who were so diligent about inviting me on their weekly long runs in anticipation of running the Austin half yesterday, but with my husband's schedule through the winter I just couldn't make the times.  It became way too easy to just not go at all.  Yesterday hit and I was watching the facebook posts and pics from my friends running the half in Austin (some for the first time and I'm so excited for them).  I was really sad that I was not there to participate with them and cheer for them.  I do not want to miss it again!

Last week A.M. was ready to hit the streets.  I'm so excited to be running with her again.  Have another friend I am running with one morning a week, which is nice.  A.M. and I are really going to build slow this time to help prevent reinjury for her.  Seriously, we're not even up to a mile yet!  But in the next month and an half we're going to work toward a 5k, then a 10k in June with some other girl friends--I cannot wait!!!

Updates to Texas Real Property Contracts

Just when we get used to things they go and change them, right?  We all were so used to the old HUD1 version, then they threw the 2010 HUD at us.  Wow!  That was a learning curve.  But, thankfully, we are all mostly over that now and the new format no longer scares us.  Well, now TREC has revised contract forms and addenda.  The changes all look to be pretty straight-forward, some will just take a little getting used to.  Here's a summary:
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One to Four Family Contract (TREC No. 20-9)

o Paragraph 2.B. Improvements

• Added "mounts and brackets for televisions and speakers”

o Paragraph 2.C. Accessories

• Added catch all for controls "controls for….and (iv) other improvements and accessories”

o Paragraph 4.A. (1) Property Approval:

• Property contingency runs all the way to closing
• Previous version of contract would automatically terminate if property does not appraise.  Now it is the buyer’s right based on lender’s underwriting but not automatic.

o Paragraph 4.A.(2) Credit Approval:

• "Financing Approval” changed to "Credit Approval”
• Financing and/or credit approval is not the same as loan approval (loan includes property)

o Paragraph 6.C (1) Existing Survey

• Inserted form # of Affidavit (T-47)
• Rearranged paragraph to reinforce Seller’s obligation

o Paragraph 6.E. (2) Property Owners Associations(s) Mandatory Membership

• Added multiple HOA language for properties that lie within more than one HOA
• Clarified the need for separate addendum for each association

o Paragraph 7.D. Acceptance of Property Condition

• Added language to help clarify the intent of 7D

o Paragraph 9.B.(5) Closing

• Added language that requires Seller to:
• Provide Buyer copy of the lease
• Provide Buyer copy of move-in condition form
• Transfer security deposits to Buyer
• Added language that requires Buyer to provide written notice to tenant
• Account for security deposit

o Paragraph 12.A. (2) (Buyer’s Expenses):

• Changed language from loan fees to "adjusted origination charges”

o Paragraph 15.B Default

• Right to remedy of specific performance is waived by either party if petition is not filed within 45 days after the specified Closing Date

o Paragraph 18.B.  Expenses

• Revised to clarify escrow agent’s right to deduct expenses before releasing earnest money

o Paragraph 22

• Added Addenda

o Page 9 of contract to serve for informational purposes only.  Not to be used to change commission splits

• No signatures required

Third Party Financing Addendum now known as Third Party Financing Addendum for Credit Approval (TREC NO. 40-4)

o Added language to match new Good Faith Estimate Disclosures

Addendum for Property Subject to Mandatory Membership in A Property Owners Association (TREC NO. 36-6)

o Added language under Paragraph A.2. Allowing for updates to Subdivision Information
o New Paragraph C obligates Buyer to pay any deposits for reserves required

Disclosure of Relationship with Residential Service Company (TREC NO. RCS-1)

o New form to be used when compensation is being received by Broker/Salesperson

Non-Realty Items Addendum (TREC NO. OP-M)

o New form for use when conveying non-realty items

(CLICK HERE) to download marked up copies of the contract forms go to.

--Courtesy, Independence Title Company

Social Media: Huge time waster or useful business tool?

Are you on Facebook and/or Twitter?  Why?  Are you the silent observer, just watching everyone else interact?  Or do you actually spend some time engaging people, commenting on their posts and photos, or retweeting what they say on Twitter?  Now I'm certainly no social media expert, but I really think your level of interaction can make a huge difference in how people perceive you.  

Some agents I follow post nothing but listings or plugs for an open house...and these are on their 'personal' page.  Of course, you want your FB friends to know what you do, but don't you also want to give them a glimpse of who you are, to make some kind of a connection with you?  Connection is such a key element to social media.  Would you say that the more they know about you, the more likely they are to trust your real estate expertise? 

We want to feel connected to other people, to find common interests, and social media is such a great tool for doing just that.  I recently reconnected with a school mate I had not seen since she moved away in middle school.  We were great friends, but lost touch.  Eventually I was able to find her on Facebook and was so excited to be able to 'see' her again.   Now I can keep up with what's going on in her life, see pictures of her newborn baby, and you can bet if I'm ever up in Michigan I'll be planning to visit her offline.  But I feel connected to her again by our interactions on Facebook.

Below is a link to wonderful post by Daniel Beer that differentiates the social networking aspect from the social media aspect, and the importance of blending the two.   If you're not interacting and providing useful and relevant content, you're probably not going to see much return on your social networking efforts.  Interact and be a resource!
http://www.geekestateblog.com/why-social-media-doesnt-work-for-most-agents-and-what-to-do-about-it/

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. --Proverbs 27:17

Pork Chops with Cranberry Sauce

This is a new favorite in my house.  It is an awesome slow cooker recipe I found on allrecipes.com.   This is a wonderful site for finding recipes for your slow cooker.

I've modified this one slightly, but if you want to see the unedited version click here.  These are so tender and absolutely delicious!  Mash up some potatoes and fix a green veggie to go with them...YUM!

• 6 bone-in pork chops
• 16 ounces (or so) of cranberry sauce (I make my own and the recipe for that is below.  If you don't want to make your own, then I'd use 1 can of the whole cranberry sauce)
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard

Put the chops in the slow cooker.  Mix the other ingredients together until smooth and pour it over the chops.  Cover & cook on low 7-8 hours.  The chops should be tender.  Then remove them from the slow cooker but keep them warm.


In a saucepan combine until smooth:

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water

Then gradually stir in the juices left in the slow cooker.  Bring that to a boil.  Stir it for about 2 minutes and it should thicken.  Add salt & pepper to taste.  Pour this mixture over the chops.
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CRANBERRY SAUCE (This is my Thanksgiving/Christmas recipe.  I cut this recipe in half for the pork chops):
Bring to a boil:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 2/3 cup water

Stir to dissolve sugar.

Then add:

• 4 cups fresh (washed) or frozen cranberries (I can usually only find the fresh right before Thanksgiving/Christmas.  Found frozen ones yesterday at the grocery store)

Bring back to a boil then reduce to a simmer until cranberries burst (usually about 10 minutes)
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BEFORE:  

AFTER:

Calculating Texas Title Insurance Policy Premiums

Have you ever been sitting with a customer and wished you had a quick and easy way to let them know what the cost of an owner title policy would be?  Independence Title Company has an iPhone app that takes out the guesswork. 

Download the FREE app (search for "Independence Title" in the iTunes store and you'll see the Texas Title Calculator) and start calculating. 
Visit our web site for more information: http://www.independencetitle.com/Applications/Texas-Title-Calculator

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. --Proverbs 27:17